Bear vs Bare
Difference between Bear and Bare is quite distinct but yet they are two words that are often confused, probably due to the similarity in their pronunciation. Actually there is difference between bear and bare when it comes to their meanings and connotations. There is difference between them in terms of their usage too. The word bear is used in the sense of ‘withstand’. On the other hand, the word bare is used in the sense of ‘expose’. This is the key difference between the two words. It is interesting to note that the word bear is used as a verb. On the other hand, the word bare is also used as a verb, but in some cases, it is used as an adjective too as in the expression ‘bare truths’. The past participle form of the verb bear is ‘borne’, and hence, it is one of the many irregular verbs. On the other hand, the past participle form of the verb bare is ‘bared’, and it is used as a regular verb. This is another important difference between the two verbs.
What does Bear mean?
The word bear is used in the sense of withstand. Observe the two sentences given below.
Francis bears the insults with a smile.
Angela bears all the injustice done to her.
In both the sentences, the verb bear is used in the sense of ‘withstand’ or ‘tolerate.’ Hence, the first sentence could be rewritten as ‘Francis tolerates the insults with a smile’, and the second sentence would be ‘Angela tolerates all the injustice done to her’. The verb bear has its abstract noun form in the word ‘bearing’.
The word bear has another meaning too. If it is not used as a verb, then it takes the meaning of a wild animal that lives in deep woods as in the sentences given below.
Robert was attacked by a bear in the forest.
Bears are wild animals.
In these sentences, the word bear is used in the sense of an animal that lives in deep woods. The beauty of the English language is that several words have different meanings when used as a verb and as a noun. The word bear is one such example that has a different meaning when used as a verb and as a noun.
What does Bare mean?
The word bare is used in the sense of expose. Take a look at the following sentences.
Robert bared the truth in front of all.
She bared her body in front of the camera.
In both the sentences, the verb bare is used in the sense of ‘expose.’ Hence, the first sentence can be rewritten as ‘Robert exposed the truth in front of all’, and the second sentence can be rewritten as ‘she exposed her body in front of the camera’.
On the other hand, the word bare is used in the formation of some other adverbial forms such as ‘thread bare’ as in the sentence ‘They discussed the issue thread-bare’. In this sentence, the word ‘thread-bare’ is used in the sense of ‘in every detail.’ Hence, the meaning of the sentence would be ‘they discussed the issue in every detail’.
What is the difference between Bear and Bare?
• The word bear is used in the sense of ‘withstand’.
• On the other hand, the word bare is used in the sense of ‘expose’.
• Both bear and bare are used as verbs. Sometimes bare is used as an adjective.
• The past participle form of the verb bear is ‘borne’, and hence, it is one of the many irregular verbs.
• On the other hand, the past participle form of the verb bare is ‘bared’, and it is used as a regular verb.
• The abstract noun form of bear is bearing.
• Bear is also used as a noun to refer to a wild animal.
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